Why Casto

Want better travel experiences and memories?

Casto Vacations creates tailored trips to the destinations you love and takes the complexity out of making it happen so you can focus on being excited about your trip.

People want compelling trips that fit their wishes. Putting the right elements in at the right places not only determines how exciting planning for a trip is for you is but also the quality of those future memories you’re about to experience.

We’re a real-live network of people who believe in the excitement of booking experiences to connect you to the world.

Maryles Casto

Founder

Maryles founded Casto Travel in 1974. Drawing from her early experience as manager of in-flight services for Philippine Airlines, Maryles turned her company into the largest privately owned travel management agency in the Western United States. She built a smart company with strong talent and a unique culture, a powerful reflection of what she symbolizes to her teams and to the world.

Under her leadership, Casto Travel has been ranked in the Top 100 Fastest Growing Businesses in both Silicon Valley and San Francisco and has won numerous entrepreneurial and service awards. Maryles was appointed as a member of the Presidential Delegation to attend the Inauguration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, of the Republic of the Philippines in 2004. In May 2006, Silicon Valley Business Journal ranked Casto Travel second in revenues among Silicon Valley Women-Owned Businesses. In 2014, as a result of her service and commitment to the community, Maryles received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Silicon Valley Boy Scouts of America.

Maryles extended Casto Travel operations into the APAC region, where she oversees all operations and client management. With two offices in the Philippines, one in Makati and one in Alabang, there are more than 150 employees that offer support to clients. Additionally, she continues to be globally involved and serve as a source of knowledge, insight and inspiration in several capacities, including client interactions, organizing exclusive journeys, providing leadership and strategic vision for the company and mentoring.

Active in civic, philanthropic, and industry organizations over the course of her career, Maryles currently serves on the board of directors for Silicon Valley Creates, The New Ballet – San Jose and the Commonwealth Club of California (at one point serving as board chair). She recently served on the El Camino Hospital Foundation, as International Chair on the Committee of 200 (she is still a member), and is a founding member of the International Women’s Forum – Northern California (serving on their board in 2017).

Marc Casto

President and CEO

Marc is President & Chief Executive Officer of Casto Travel. He leads the company’s operations and directs strategic corporate planning, sales endeavors, and information technology development. His direct duties also include oversight and management of all international development, notably expansion within Asia through Casto Travel Philippines, Inc.

As a highly engaged person within the industry, Marc serves at an executive level on multiple travel and other industry related boards. Marc has served as the Chairman of the Board for the San Jose Visitors and Convention Bureau / Team San Jose, the Commonwealth Business Travel Group, and the ASTA Corporate Advisory Council. He has also held board positions for Business Travel News, CTAP, American Society of Travel Agents, the Mayor’s Task force for San Jose Airport, and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, as well as numerous hotel advisory boards.

Marc has been recognized by the Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal as one of the “Top 40 Under 40 Business Leaders in Silicon Valley.” In 2014 he was the recipient of the Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award by ASTA, and the same year as a “Distinguished Citizen” by the Boy Scouts of America. In 2016 ASTA also honored him as the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Paul M. Ruden Award for Industry Champions.

As a native of California, you can frequently find him out in the hills hiking with his kids or sneaking off to the coast to go scuba diving.

Magda Alarcon

Vice President Concierge

Casto icon Magda Alarcon, an industry veteran since 1978, is a Vice President at Casto Travel and oversees the Concierge and Groups divisions.

Ms. Alarcon joined Casto in 1988 to start the VIP service desk, then moved up to become the San Francisco Branch Manager in 1993. She also served as General Manager and Director of Corporate Operations before her VP position.

Ms. Alarcon, who lives in the Bay Area, relocated from Honolulu in 1983, where she started her travel career.

“Magda’s post as Vice President is a well-earned progression in her career at Casto,” says founder Maryles Casto. “In her time here, Magda has repeatedly proven her ability to keep the corporate department focused on providing exceptional customer service to each client, every time.”

Helen E Land

Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

A participatory style, knowledge of the world’s destinations, experience in and exposure to all seven continents; the ability to listen, sculpt and provide a holiday which suits the needs of her travelers. Travel planning for you means taking the time to make sure that what you wish/hope for turns into a journey which completes those elements. As Helen is known to say, “It’s often a combination of what a person thinks they want combined with the unrecognized special desires which forms the art of trip planning; let me hear from you and together we can make a trip which fulfills all those intentions.”

Trend to Watch

More destinations with special intrigues seem to be the coming trend … Uzbekistan in the Central Asian realm; Ethiopia for its ancient history and traditional retained cultures; diving destinations in far flung areas of the world … these seem to be popping into view.

Uly Silkey

Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

Living by the motto of ‘explore, try new things, and dive deep’, she has had many profound experiences throughout the world and offers this unique insight to her clients. This belief has even led her to circumnavigate the world not once but twice and to spend six months in Southern Africa (just to specify one such area).

A key to her success is through being a diligent listener to home in on her clients’ wants and goals, and understanding how those preferences evolve as their lives change.

She also recognizes that personal touches often are what matter most. “One family I work with loves exploring on foot, so I bring their trip to life by stocking their rooms with maps and suggestions of where to go to,” she says.

Trend to Watch

Cultural Heritage journeys in places to experience the nomadic horse culture Mongolia Genghis Khan and his ancestors left behind. River cruises, not only Europe, but think about Asia too – it’s really jumping onto the scene and with good reason.

Eco Tours that get you up close and personal with the majestic and rare animals the world has to offer – think polar bears and narwhals on an Arctic adventure or afternoon tea with the grizzly bears on the deck of your resort in northern British Columbia.

Earl Davis

Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

Creating that special trip by not only arranging the basic components of air, hotels, cruises, etc, but also concentrating on the smallest of details, whether that be arranging a private picnic on a quiet beach while most shipboard fellow travelers are taking a generic group tour, a back street Vespa tour of the local food stalls of Saigon or a visit to the Sistine Chapel with very few other visitors present. The importance of those small details can make any trip, from three weeks visiting the capitals of Europe, a beach vacation in Hawaii, a first-time trip to SE Asia or a 100 day round-the-world cruise, the trip of a lifetime rather than a similar version of what everyone else is doing while traveling.

Trend to Watch

SE Asia and India as an alternative to the often visited capitals of Europe. Small boat cruising on the rivers of continental Europe that provide for an in-depth local experience rather than the two week ocean sailings that stop for just a few hours at major ports. Small group tours of friends and/or family with shared interests, whether that be bicycling in Vietnam, hiking in the Alps or chartering a boat to visit small ports in the Aegean Sea.

Maureen Murphy

Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

Interest in remote lands from early days of travel. Trips that involve long train rides a big favorite and food destinations combined with hiking and walking also at the top of the list. Long experience of traveling with a kid allows me to be opinionated in a useful way. Love to help clients interested in theater and opera and gardens……….

New Trends

Holly Huebel

Sherry Barson

Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

Developing relationships with my clients helps me with creating more personalized travel experiences. Sharing my own travel through the lens of photography, which are dual passions of mine. With 38 years of travel industry experience, I have accrued a wealth of destination knowledge and I have a wide network of contacts to ensure my clients needs are met and their expectations exceeded.

Trend Watch

I’ve been involved in making arrangements for people desiring experiential and educational travel such as: hiking to temples in Japan, making dumplings in Beijing, participating in the festivals in Sri Lanka, touring contemporary art galleries in Moscow, taking yoga lessons in Rishikesh, India, or even something as hair raising as shark diving in Capetown, South Africa.

Beth Marciel

Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

Your personal travel advocate – throughout all of your adventures, in a swift and professional manner. You will benefit from my rich destination knowledge, thorough research skills, and attention to individual travel styles and budget.

Trend to watch

Central and South America – something for everyone, anytime of year. Great climate and options for all travel styles – active, historic, and beach lovers.

Gale Doherty

Luisa DeSousa

Independent Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

Luisa is known for creating specialized trips to Portugal and its surrounding islands showcasing the local culture, wines, and breathtaking scenery. And she does so with the flair and passion only a local could provide – after all, she was born and raised on an island just off the coast of Portugal!

Trend to watch

Keep thoughts open to booking a trip in Japan or Singapore. They’ve long been off the horizon of the main tourist routes and have a wealth of culture to offer. That and the food is beyond spectacular if you’re a foodie!

Jenifer Brouillard

Independent Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

Bringing the vivid colors of art, the aroma of amazing dishes, and serenity of being at a spa into the creation of your journey. Her ability imagine being there on each trip during the creation process brings the passion of the country to light instantly and makes planning a journey an exciting prospect.

Trending

Journeys built around a particular restaurant…whether it be a vineyard in Argentina or South Africa, a Michelin starred restaurant in Spain, or a grand Maison in Bordeaux, think about planning around a hot ticket restaurant reservation.

Calvin Kanoho

Independent Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

Combining his experiences working with renowned Hotels, Private Estate Management, and as a Private Concierge specialist to C-Level executives and their families, Calvin has developed a knack for creating in-depth itineraries and unique experiences for travel all over the world. And he’s particularly adept at experiences in the South Pacific, Paris, and South East Asia.

Trend to Watch

I have recently come across cool requests for experiences such as Samurai lessons in Kyoto, coffee tour in Manizales and relaxing at the beach in Cartagena, Columbia, leopard safari in Sri Lanka, and river cruises on the Mekong river.

And for all the Foodies, expect an increase for travel to Latin America at renowned dining venues such as Central, Astrid Y Gaston and Maido Restaurant in Peru, Borago in Chile, Pujol, Biko and Quintonil Restaurant in Mexico City to D.O.M and Mani Restaurant in Sao Paulo.

Torey Edgcomb

Independent Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

Mediterranean, South Pacific, Australia & New Zealand, as well as small-ship river and ocean cruising with a focus on active and adventure travel. Multi-generational groups and special occasion travel- for anniversaries, honeymoons and milestone life events. She loves getting to know her travelers to learn their preferences and collaborating with them to design a travel experience that exceeds expectations.

Trending

Upscale ecotourism and adventure travel to remote destinations- expedition cruising in the Arctic or Micronesia, wildlife tracking in Jasper National Park, luxury camping in the Montana wilderness, venturing deep into the Amazon jungle on a river cruise.

Liz Spander

Liz Spander is an independent travel consultant and is affiliated with Casto Travel and Signature Travel Network. Liz runs Liz Spander Luxury Travel along with her assistant, Florigna.

According to Liz: “The world is a place to explore; my expertise allows clients to participate in what the world has to offer…coming back with new experiences which add to their personal dimensions.”

Liz is known for planning tailored trips for clients all around the world, particularly Africa, Asia, India, and Europe, but she also has extensive knowledge of the Americas and the Pacific. Liz loves to travel and loves helping people fulfill their dream vacations. Of special interest is planning family and generation trips – whether touring or cruising or just relaxing at a beach resort.

Known for…

Traveled to all seven continents.

Extensive experience worldwide to broad range of destinations.

Enjoys planning trips for clients which satisfy their personal wishes & exposure to places where they can learn, experience, explore and enjoy new destinations.

Handles villa rentals, cruises, customized touring with special guides and services to relaxing beach holidays with family or friends.

Joanne Norman

Independent Luxury Travel Advisor

Cruises

Joanne’s passion for cruising and attention to detail best describes her. She offers a personal perspective to cruising having sailed to many ports around the world on major cruise lines including: Silversea, Seabourn, Regent, Oceania, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and Princess She takes a comprehensive analysis of boats, itineraries, rooms, activities and more while providing you with an up-close and personal view to arrange your ideal travel. Joanne prides herself in matching her client’s priorities to their travel wishes and focuses on making their dream trip everything they imagined it to be. Creating memories that will last a lifetime is Joanne’s goal.

Trends

River Cruises in Europe is booming as Uniworld, Tauck, Viking create more itineraries along the Rhone.

Cruises lines are offering out of the ordinary enrichment programs led by a wide range of specialists including artists to teach you to paint, famous chef’s teaching culinary classes, famous authors and diplomats eager to share their first-hand knowledge and expertise. Exclusive wine pairing dinners with premium wines and gourmet food are being offered on many of the cruise lines.

Siss Moller

Carol Holley

Luxury Travel Advisor

Known for

Specializing in upscale travel to Italy, France, UK and Africa. In addition I also specialize in deluxe cruises and river cruises. I have served on the Abercrombie and Kent advisory board two times, and I am a member of their Connoisseurs club and top 100 club. I am a member of the 7 continents club

Shirley Silvestri

Known for

Shirley’s love for Africa has been demonstrated by her fourteen visits to the continent over the many years she has been in the travel industry.

She has hosted clients on most of the luxury cruise lines, and has been able to steer clients to the ship that is perfect for their style of travel and the experience they are expecting.

Most of Shirley’s business is by referral from clients. She has been able to help multi-generational families plan the perfect reunion. Her connection to the yachting community has led to several group bookings.

Making the travel experience memorable and unusual is her goal.

Trends

Antarctica is definitely becoming more popular with more comfortable expedition ships.

River cruising is expanding into interesting areas of SE Asia and India.

Most people are looking for something different and want to speak with someone who has been there.

Inspired? Want to talk?

Call us 24/7 at +1 800-438-1777 or share your information with us and one of our travel consultants will contact you.